Gracie's Restorodt

So today I get home and before I can even change clothes, Gracie drags me over to her play room door. In front of the door is a sign that reads....

Grace's Restorodt

She says to me,,,,

" come ,,, sit down and enjoy, order like in real life.... I really want your business "

Well, what dad could turn that down huh?

So I enter her Restorodt and sit down at her oh so tiny tea table, you know the kind that fit them just right but put your knees up near your ears, yeah, that kind.

The table is set, table cloth ( blue bandanna ) fork and knife, ( one pink plastic, the other blue ) she then hands me a menu. She must have spent half the day concocting this menu.

She says to me........

" What would you like...."

I then peruse the menu for a while, it takes me a minute to translate because she did this all on her own, her own imagination, as well as her own spelling. After taking a bit too long she says to me.......

" Why don't you order a drink first while you decide, the drinks are here at the bottom"

( okay, I am now certain that we eat out too much)

I order sweet tea....

She then goes, gets a yellow plastic tea cup and a pink princess tea pot and pours me some tea at the table. She then asks.......

" would you like a lemon?"

" no thank you " I reply

( Really, we need to eat at home more, this is ridiculous )

I then order spaghetti with a cup of vegetable soup.

She searches and searches and cant find a suitable cup for a cup of soup. She then asks me if a mug would be okay. Well of course it is.

She then presents me with a kool-aid mug with a plastic leaf, a plastic potato, and a plastic carrot stuffed down in it. Ya know, she really made vegetable soup, plastic though it was, she hit on the ingredients pretty darn well. While I was chewing on my lettuce leaf she hunted me up a pink plastic plate and went over to her stove to cook up the spaghetti. When she noticed the lettuce leaf in my mouth she abruptly expounded upon the fault in her service.

" Oh no daddy, I forgot to give you a spoon, you need a spoon for soup"

She quickly brought me a yellow plastic spork to enjoy my Kool-aid mug full of plastic vegetable soup. Then back to slave away in her kitchen.

A minute or two later she plopped the plastic spaghetti, sauce included, on the pink plate and served it from the right.

I continued to enjoy my meal until I had satisfactorily consumed all the delicious delicacies supplied by my little Hunan entrepreneur. Once finished I arose fulfilled and satisfied with my fine dinning experience. However, now this is priceless. She now informed me that this was a restaurant, just like real life, and I needed to tend to my bill. She had manufactured a check out station from a pink two step stool with a compartment in the high step. She opened her " register" to present me with a bill for twenty dollars and 30 cents. She settled for 4 quarters and 3 dimes, but I was impressed by the fact that she actually had written me up a tab. Something tells me that daddy is gonna get suckered into this every once in a while.

Once it was done, I requested that I be able to take the menu with me. She asked why, and I answered that if I took the menu home with me I could be prepared for later and maybe drop in for carry out. She then informed me that if I call ahead, she can deliver. The truth is that I wanted the menu so I could share it with you all. She obviously put a lot of time and effort into it.

Grace's Restorodt ( what the sign actually read outside her playroom )

• Sasue and chips
• makenrone chees
• fish stiks
• vecndbre soop ( vegetable soup, I needed a minute on this one)
• sofla (souffle, I didnt know she knew that word )
• spagetee
• sweet tea
• woater
• dokd peper ( doctor pepper, one of daddy's favorites)
• coke
• Grace's thick milk ( whole milk )
• Milk
• Choklet milk
• smootheez
• bnanu smoothee (banana smoothie )

Maybe its just me, but this list was priceless.

Maybe its just me, but I think we need to eat at home more.

Maybe its just me, but I am proud of her effort and imagination. Yes the spelling is terrible, but she was playing, not applying herself under a school situation or with any supervision what so ever.

It amazes me that not so long ago she could not even say a lot of these words, now she forms them into large complex ideas and attempts to write them down to imitate " real life "

Slow down my dear Gracie, your growing quit fast enough, please don't rush it..... daddy likes having a little cuddle bug named boogs around. I don't think I am ready for a teenager with a job just yet.

Oh yeah, the end of the meal came with her saying,

" Please come again "

Chinese New Year 2010

It's that time of year again. That beautiful fortress at the rivers bend, the fortress guarded by a humongous arch has been calling and taunting us again. It is once again time to lay siege on the city of St. Louis. The Hunan hoard has begun to advance on the city. The Wilson Clan containing one division will approach from the east. The Collins Clan will approach from the south east with 4 divisions. The Hess Clan will approach from the south west with one division. The Ryan Clan will approach from the south with 2 divisions. The Martin Clan will approach from the west with a strong experienced 5 divisions. The advance scout party, the Thompson's, are waiting for us to join forces with their 1 division, and the Commodore (Grandma Kay, its her place ) The moat made by the mighty Mississippi could not stop us, the rush hour cavalry could not impede our progress. The many miles of barren wasteland could not keep us from this journey. . ( that would be Indiana mostly ) All the above Clans converged on the city. We met at Kay's condo and proceeded to lay waste to the St. Louis. We sacked, pillaged and plundered the area. Once this was accomplished we had a celebratory family meal together, confessed our allegiance to one another, reaffirmed our bonds to each other and then returned to our own kingdoms leaving the Thompson family to reign once more in the fortress city of the Arch.

Okay, maybe this isn't exactly how it happened, its just what it seems like in my twisted little mind. What exactly am I talking about? Well, since I have acquired a few new readers since last Chinese new year, please allow me to step back and fill in a little history for some of the folks.

My daughter, Gracie, was adopted from the Hunan province of China. When you adopt from China you usually have what is called a travel group. When we arrived in Beijing, we did so with something near 100 people. Our travel group was scattered around the hotel a bit but we did break off into groups when we went sight seeing. This was the beginning of our groups bonding. Then we traveled as a group to the city of Changsha, capital of the Hunan province. All 10 families of our group are now stationed on the same floor of the Dalton hotel. We spend several days getting to know one another. The life altering event of Gotcha day takes place in Changsha. Gotcha day is when the adopted child is handed over to their forever family. This group of young ladies were mostly, but not entirely, from the same orphanage. I think 8 of them were from YiYang and 2 of them were from Changsha number 1 ( I think). The most powerful single moment of gotcha day to me was when my wife proclaimed, "thank you JESUS" after Yi Meng Chang ( Marilyn Grace ) was put in her arms. From gotcha day on, a life bond was born between these young girls. One of the couples lives in St. Louis, hometown of our adoption agency, Children's Hope International. They very graciously invite all the couples to come to St. Louis to celebrate Chinese New Year every year. Mr. Thompson's mom, Kay has a nice condo that will hold the inflow of families. We spend some time together Friday, just letting the kids play, we have an activity Saturday followed by the traditional Chinese New Year family meal at Hunan Empress and a re-shoot of the red couch picture. Sunday is a little more time together, difficult goodbyes and then back to life. These girls call each other sister even though they share no blood. It is a beautiful thing to just sit back and watch. Oh, the red couch deserves a little explanation as well, the red couch is the traditional photo taken in Guangzhou where all the newly adopted kids are perched on a red couch for a photo. All the girls so look forward to these event every year, and another other opportunity to be with there "sisters". It just transcends cool in every way.

Well, enough history. Lets tell this years tale.

First issue, the dress. Angie bought a traditional Chinese gown for Gracie to wear. Most all of the girls and some of the adults are in traditional attire for the family dinner. Angie purchased the dress on January 6th. A few days before we were to leave town Angie contacted our friend Ann in China to see where the package was, it had not arrived yet. Ann was unable to help, so in a last ditch effort I had her order one overnight from China Sprout, it came the day before departure, it was too small. OOh no, Gracie is devastated, she doesn't want to not be dressed up for this important event. Super plumber Ninja dad and Super duper mom must know undertake the impossible. Find a traditional Chinese gown in Gracie's size in just a few hours, days before New Years, in a mid west suburb. Time for the Internet, and mommas memory. Angie remembers a little shop in a mall across town called Into Asia. I called and spoke with the Chinese store keeper. It was refreshingly comical to speak with her in her broken English. She told me, " you bring to me, her, we see, we fit, might have, bring her here?" Yes ma'am, we are on the way. Gracie got her dress, its the pink one. She looks beautiful, and mom and dad are hero's again, all is well.

Next the trip.

We travel to St. Louis. It takes us about 7 hours give or take to make this trip. 7 hours worth of Gracie wanting to talk because she is so so very excited, and seven hours of momma wanting Gracie to hush. I understand both of them, but at this point can barley tolerate either of them. I love my girls, but when they are at odds with each other in a confined space I feel like I am a terrorist being put in a chair under a light bulb, unable to escape. Angie decided she needs coffee, not just any coffee, but special coffee. Luckily for her, she has an app. for that. Out comes the IPhone. It gives her directions to some little coffee house buried in the back of a strip mall in Mt. Vernon. Gracie and I are just hoping this helps calm her nerves. Once arriving in St. Louis we used to same app. to find every snooty coffee house in Chesterfield. Anyways. Finally we arrive in the city, check into the hotel, and make our way to the condo.

From here on, words just don't work anymore. Even my excessively colorful verbiage falls well short of being able to describe the chaos, love, bond, chaos, playing, excitement, and chaos of the next few hours. This year there are only 6 of the usual 7 Hunans there. The 7th is in South Korea this year. They visited by computer link (Skype) for a while on Saturday. The girls missed Lia Joy this year, but they played together well all the same. It is so amazing to just watch them grow from year to year. There are only about 4 months difference in their ages so they hit milestones pretty close together. This year Gracie is one of the smaller girls. The others seem to have hit growth spurts a little ahead of her, but by and large, they are the same size. One of the subjects of discussion this time was the mystery of why are we all so determined to keep in contact with each other. I think we have no choice in the matter. Why? Well, God and 7 of His special princesses said so, that's why.

The trip home was reasonably uneventful. We looked forward to the comforts of home, our bed, etc. We had the usually series of potty stops and gas stops. By the way, don't stop when the sign says food and gas ahead, Sulfur Indiana. It is a trick. The gas station is a little too reminiscent of the movie Deliverance. Gator runs the gas station, I am sure of it. As for food, I'm thinking Possum was on the menu. I did not fill up here. We just locked the doors and u-turned in the middle of road. We made it with no casualties, which was in doubt a few times.

I also learned that if you walk into a Starbucks and request a VENTI CHAMELEON SHENANDOAH BIRKENSTOCK RALPHY RALPHY DOUBLE FONZIE, they will actually make something and charge you 5 bucks for it. Who knew?

Just because.......

Here is the phrase..

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...



Say it with me...



Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...



It goes like this.



Just because you can ( long pause while raising one eyebrow like Mr. Spock) doesn't mean you should.....



Try it out loud one time ( remember the eyebrow thing !! )

So, what am I babbling about.

Chicken Sausage : ( yes its out there, but why)

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Spandex: ( and you know who I am talking about )

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Fried celery: ( Fried Zucchini, fried mushrooms, fried squash, okay, but fried celery pu-leeeze)

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Peeing on a fence: ( now think this one thru, your exposing Otis to many unnecessary risks, the exposure itself, potential injury to sharp or windblown objects, or potential electrocution even)

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Nose mining: ( I know you got a big greener stuck in there driving you mad, but unless your alone in your car you just need to refrain from going after it with your pinkie )

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Going Blind : ( not going to explain or elaborate except to say this )

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Leopard print Speedo : ( particularly frightening on the male who is overly endowed in girth, or simply overly endowed.)

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should... ( has a certain ring to it don't it )

Braided back hair : ( nuff said )

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Pabst Blue Ribbon beer bong : ( you know it wasn't good when you were 17, its worse now )

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Doing " I'm a little tea pot" dance in an elevator : ( it really freaks people out when you do that, this is my handle ..... this is my spout.......)

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Ramming into old women's carts in the grocery, yelling LAND SHARK and running away : ( whilst this is eternally entertaining, you might hurt someone, really you might, honest and for true )

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Hannah Montana : ( do I need to elaborate here people !! )

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Singing I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay while dancing around in a skirt with and axe on New Years eve in your front yard : ( don't ask, just don't do it )

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Butt quarters, the drinking game : ( whole new meaning to sharing germs)

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Head banging Karaoke to Bohemian Rhapsody : ( Galileo, Galileo........ I'm just a poor boy from a poor family......... I will not let him go, I will not let him go........ Mama mia mamma mia......... )

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

Waynes world Waynes world, party on ........ excellent.........

Things I have learned lately........

I haven't posted in over a month, doesn't seem like its really been that long but it has. I have been occupied with a variety of things but I wanted to take a quick minute to share some of the things I have learned ( or been reminded of ) lately..........

• Gracie will one day compete in the Winter X games. She went sledding on a real hill for the first time this weekend. She had no fear, just a thirst to try it, looked fun I guess. Her little body isn't heavy enough to create drag on the disc or wind resistance so she just picks up more and more speed. She out slid the course and ran up into the bushes her first two times down. Third time she hit the second hill too fast and sideways, after a double twist McFlip she planted face down in the snow. Even though she was giggling the entire time, once she pulled her face out of the snow she made two discoveries. First, a face full of snow is cold, she didn't like being cold. Second, everyone was looking at her with their mouth open because the flip thing was so cool ( Kewl even ) so she got a little embarrassed. With the help of Pastor Brian and Sav' ( a teen ) Gracie gave the hill one last shot, but then she was done for the day but she wants to go back and try again later, after she warms up I think.
• When friendships cant survive a difference of opinion, perhaps the people involved were not friends to begin with. Real friendships can survive a little strain after all. Real friendships can survive the knowledge that no two people agree on everything. I have been reminded lately of who my friends are. Some folks I don't see or talk to very often are still very much my good friends, others who I keep attempting to spend time with and talk with after an issue developed are being less than receptive. I always find it interesting to see God's pruning shears in action.
• Change is a bizarre and confusing animal. Things that you are certain are gone and lost for ever suddenly re-appear unexpectedly. My wife (Angie) and I have chosen to make this the year of reaching out. This is more my thing than our thing, but we are both engaging in the activity. It is certain that nothing will be as it was, or even normal, but a new normal is just fine. I have made contact with three long lost relatives, one of which I never really even knew. I am still working on building a relationship with a cousin that was lost to me for nearly 10 years. The newest 3 cousins I have just made initial contact with in the last few weeks. Relationship building is the goal for this year and beyond. I have also accidentally made contact with a few people I used to go to school with, maybe new friendships can be built this year as well. This is the year of reaching out in my family. Just as an interesting aside, our church is having a year long sermon series called "Beyond". Its about going beyond and applying the knowledge, living the life, or dare I say, reaching out. It is always a good feeling to have affirmation and backing that what your feeling the need to do is the correct and right thing.
• Baking soda soaks dog urine up out of carpet, stain included, who knew?
• Socks soak dog urine up out of carpet too, but only if your wearing them at the time.
• People you help out and do things for will eventually take advantage of you. You must keep this in mind. Do it anyway, but you will need to remind yourself that your doing these things because it was the right thing, not because you wanted or expected recompense. If you do things for the wrong reason, you will surely be disappointed. Conversely, if someone does a service and kindness for you, endeavour your best to recognize their efforts even though you can likely never repay their kindness.
• Parenting and Patients both start with the letter "P".
• Homework and Hell both start with the letter "H".
• Never attempt to apply logic to children, animals, or groups. Group mentality is just as random as the others.

Enough for now, hopefully I wont wait so long before spewing more of these McNuggets of wisdom..........